Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park) proclaims Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 7 Youth Week – an annual week to celebrate youth engagement and showcase the abilities and talents of youth from diverse communities across Toronto in the areas of civic engagement, recreation, arts and sports.
Toronto’s youth are a vital part of the city’s social, cultural and economic fabric. Young people help make Toronto the vibrant, world-class city it is today.
Youth Week kicks off today at the New Generation Enhanced Youth Recreation Centre with live performances, workshops and professional development information sessions.
Youth Week is here again! From May 1 – 7, free youth events take over Toronto. From sports to cooking to dance and art, there are options across the city during this fun and exciting week. For a list of events and locations visit https://t.co/ES990TVgT6 #YouthRecTO #YouthWeekTO pic.twitter.com/Y4yBLGpmUq
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) May 1, 2023
During Youth Week, young people throughout Toronto can participate in free events that focus on visual and performance arts, personal development, and civic engagement mixed in with some fun. Highlights of Youth Week programs include:
• “Chop It Like It’s HOT” is an opportunity for youth of all abilities across Toronto to showcase their cooking and baking skills through a culinary competition.
• STOMP Urban Dance Competition/Showcase returns to Meridian Hall for its 20th edition. Dance teams from across Toronto will compete to claim a winning spot.
• Artists In The 6ix Gala and Marketplace celebrates the artistic creativity of Toronto youth. In partnership with University of Toronto’s Hart House, this space was created for Torontonians to meet, support and purchase the art work of local youth artists.
• ResilienTOgether celebrates youth artistic expression through visual and performing arts and is a partnership between Artscape, ArtWorksTO, MakeRoom Inc., RISE, The Neighbourhood Arts Network, The Remix Project, UrbanArts and VIBE Arts. It includes a visual arts exhibit and live music performances.
• The Drag Masterclass is back, this time with an all-new twist! Participants can join for three days of workshops in makeup and sewing to help spice up their drag.
• Enhanced Youth Spaces will host numerous free events and workshops in the areas of wellness, visual arts, cooking, fashion, dance and sports.
Youth Week event details, including times and registration information are available at www.toronto.ca/youthweek. The Toronto Public Library (TPL) also has many events during Youth Week: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/.
Quotes:
“Youth Week highlights and showcases the tremendous talents and vibrant vision of Toronto’s young people. I am proud of the work the City does throughout the year to provide safe and creative spaces for youth to learn, collaborate and grow.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“Our youth are the future of our city. This Youth Week, I encourage young people across Toronto to take part in the exciting events happening in our community spaces. We want to hear your perspectives to help build a vibrant city for generations to come.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
“Six years after our successful advocacy for the City of Toronto to officially recognize Youth Week, young people continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the Toronto we see now. Let’s continue to amplify the voices and interests of young people every day and every week to ensure all youth can thrive and succeed in our great city. As the City’s official youth advocacy body, the Toronto Youth Cabinet looks forward to supporting and celebrating young people throughout the week and beyond!”
– Stephen Mensah, Executive Director, Toronto Youth Cabinet
SOURCE City of Toronto
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